Dorian Thomson, 41, had toothache in every tooth for six years and was taking morphine before he died.

His friend, Ross Illingworth, 41, told yesterday’s hearing that Mr Thomson, who also suffered from a joint and tissue disorder, âwas in more pain than anyone could ever conceive ofâ, and believed it had been triggered by dental work.

He found him hanging at his west London flat in December.

Mr Thomson previously tried to take an overdose and had spoken about contacting Swiss assisted dying group Dignitas.

‘Given the degenerative nature of his condition and the complete lack of help that he was being given, he wanted to know that there was a way out,’ said Mr Illingworth.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Westminster coroner Dr William Dolman said that Mr Thomson had a number of ‘serious medical problems’, adding that his mind was ‘disturbed’ when he killed himself.

‘He was a man in severe, constant pain for many years… He clearly had been a highly successful, outgoing man, but retreated into himself… he had issues with the unsuccessful treatment he had with orthodontics.’

He added that Mr Thomson was a man âwith no way out of his predicament but to end his lifeâ.